Spiral tine fork

ABSTRACT

A spiral tine fork is disclosed. The spiral tine fork has a plurality of tines disposed in a spaced apart relation along a distal end of a fork. The plurality of tines includes a plurality of spiral shaped tines in which the tine is twisted about a longitudinal axis of the tine. The tine may be twisted for a plurality of revolutions to define a recess dimensioned to receive a noodle strand. The recesses facilitate retention of the noodle strand on the fork. The spiral tine fork of the present invention can reduce the incidence of soiling clothing or a dining area by retaining the noodles on the spiral tine fork, with or without rotation of the fork.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/701,766, filed Aug. 14, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to eating utensils, and more particularly to forks.

Currently available forks have remained unchanged despite their longevity at the dining table. While more than adequate for a number of dishes and cuisines, the conventional fork still presents challenges for certain cuisines and dishes. In particular, the fork presents challenges for use with cuisines and dishes including noodles, such as many Asian and Italian cuisines.

Unfortunately, when the noodle is wrapped around the tines of the fork, the noodles have a tendency to slip off onto the dish or bowl in which the noodles are served. If the noodles are served in a soup dish, the noodles may splash into the soup and potentially soil the users clothing. Likewise, if the noodles are served with a tomato or an alfredo sauce, the noodles may splash into the sauce and risks permanently staining the wearer's clothing.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved fork for dining on noodles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a fork is disclosed. The fork includes an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end. A tine bridge is attached to the distal end of the elongate handle. A plurality of spiral tines extend from the tine bridge and are aligned in a parallel arrangement to each other. Each of the plurality of spiral tines are twisted in a plurality of revolutions about a longitudinal axis of the spiral tine. The plurality of revolutions in the spiral tines define a recess.

In some embodiments, the recess is dimensioned to receive a width of a noodle strand.

In some embodiments, the elongate handle is dimensioned to be grasped in a hand of a user.

In other embodiments, the plurality of spiral tines are disposed in a spaced apart relation along the tine bridge.

In another aspect of the invention a fork is disclosed. The fork has a handle having a proximal end and a distal end. A tine bridge is coupled to the distal end of the handle. A plurality of tines extend from the tine bridge. The plurality of tines are disposed in a spaced apart relation across the tine bridge. The plurality of tines include a plurality of spiral tines defined by a rotation of the tine about a longitudinal axis of the tine.

In some embodiments, a plurality of revolutions is provided in each of the spiral tines defining a recess between each revolution of the spiral tine. Thee recess is dimensioned to receive a width of a noodle strand.

In yet other embodiments, the handle is dimensioned to be grasped in a hand of a user.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a spiral tine fork.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 5 is a right-side elevation view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the spiral tine fork.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the spiral tine fork show in use with a serving of noodles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provides a spiral tine fork for serving noodles. The spiral tine fork presents a novel way of serving and consuming noodles that limits the risk of the noodles to slip off the tines.

As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-8, the spiral tine fork 10 includes an elongate handle 12 having a proximal end and a distal end. The spiral tine fork 10 has a handle length that allows the handle 12 to be grasped by the user's hand while eating. A tine bridge 14 is attached to the distal end of the handle 12.

A plurality of tines 16 extend from the tine bridge 14 and are aligned to be in substantially parallel alignment with one another. The plurality of tines 16 are disposed in a spaced apart relation across the tine bridge 14. In the non-limiting embodiment shown, each of the plurality of tines are spiral tines 16. However, it will be appreciated that one or more of the plurality of tines may be conventional flattened tines.

The plurality of spiral tines 16 are twisted in a plurality of revolutions about a longitudinal axis of the tine 16. The plurality of revolutions in the spiral tines 16 define a recess into which a noodle strand 18 may be received to retain the noodle strand 18 on the fork 10.

As with a conventional fork, the user may rotate the spiral tine fork 10 while embedded in a serving of noodles 18 to capture and retain the noodle 18 on the fork 10 as the noodle strand 18 is received in the recess. the user may also manipulate the spiral tine fork 10 in the noodle serving 18, without rotation of the fork, where the noodle strand 18 is retained within the recesses and prevents the noodles 18 from sliding off the spiral tines 16. The user can swirl & twirl and the spiral tines 16 will catch, hook and retain the noodles 18, which chow mein, ramen, spaghetti, and the like for a pleasurable eating experience.

Thus, the spiral tine fork 10 of the present invention prevents the soiling of clothing and the dining area by the noodles falling off the fork while the user attempts to consume the noodles 18. Advantageously, because the spiral tine fork 10 retains the noodle 18 on the fork 10 without rotation of the fork 10, the spiral tine fork 10 of the present invention also prevents the flipping of the soup or sauce in which the noodle 18 that is encountered when a conventional fork is rotated to retain the noodles 18 on the fork.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fork, comprising: an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a tine bridge attached to the distal end of the elongate handle; and a plurality of spiral tines extending from the tine bridge and aligned in a parallel arrangement to each other; each of the plurality of spiral tines are twisted in a plurality of revolutions about a longitudinal axis of the spiral tine, the plurality of revolutions in the spiral tines defining a recess.
 2. The fork of claim 1, wherein the recess is dimensioned to receive a width of a noodle strand.
 3. The fork of claim 1, wherein the elongate handle is dimensioned to be grasped in a hand of a user.
 4. The fork of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spiral tines disposed in a spaced apart relation along the tine bridge.
 5. A fork comprising: a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; a tine bridge coupled to the distal end of the handle; and a plurality of tines extending from the tine bridge, the plurality of tines disposed in a spaced apart relation across the tine bridge, the plurality of tines including a plurality of spiral tines defined by a rotation of the tine about a longitudinal axis of the tine.
 6. The fork of claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of revolutions in each of the spiral tines defining a recess.
 7. The fork of claim 6, wherein the recess is dimensioned to receive a width of a noodle strand.
 8. The fork of claim 6, wherein the recess is defined continuously about the plurality of revolutions.
 9. The fork of claim 5, wherein the handle is dimensioned to be grasped in a hand of a user. 